Generating an optimal refueling plan for road vehicles

ABSTRACT

Generating a refueling plan for a vehicle on a route including the steps of monitoring fuel consumption of the vehicle and an amount of fuel remaining within the vehicle. When a fuel level within the vehicle falls below a threshold, determining a number of miles remaining on the route and fuel mileage of the vehicle and generating a list of fuel stations which are within driving range of the vehicle based on the vehicle&#39;s fuel mileage. The list may also include fuel stations which are outside the driving range of the vehicle which have a service for delivery of fuel to a point within the driving range of the vehicle and at least a price of the fuel and brand of the fuel at each of the fuel stations. The list of fuel stations is provided to a user of the vehicle for selecting a fuel station for refueling.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to generating an optimal refueling plan,and more specifically to generating an optimal refueling plan withinuser specified preferences.

A road vehicle's fuel consumption varies between users and vehiclesdepending on the type of roads, traffic and other factors. Managing fuelconsumption of the vehicle can become complex for a user based on theuser's preferences.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method ofgenerating a refueling plan for a road vehicle on a route. The methodcomprising the steps of: a computer monitoring fuel consumption of theroad vehicle and an amount of fuel remaining within the road vehicle;wherein when a fuel level within the road vehicle falls below athreshold, the computer determining a number of miles remaining on theroute and fuel mileage of the road vehicle; the computer generating alist of fuel stations which are within driving range of the road vehiclebased on the fuel mileage of the road vehicle, the list also comprisingfuel stations which are outside the driving range of the road vehiclewhich have a service for delivery of fuel to a point within the drivingrange of the road vehicle, the list including at least a price of thefuel and brand of the fuel at each of the fuel stations; the computerproviding the list of fuel stations to a user of the road vehicle; andthe computer receiving input from the user selecting a fuel station forrefueling.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a computerprogram product for generating a refueling plan for a road vehicle on aroute comprising a computer comprising at least one processor, one ormore memories, one or more computer readable storage media, the computerprogram product comprising a computer readable storage medium havingprogram instructions embodied therewith. The program instructionsexecutable by the computer to perform a method comprising: monitoring,by the computer, fuel consumption of the road vehicle and an amount offuel remaining within the road vehicle; wherein when a fuel level withinthe road vehicle falls below a threshold, the computer determining anumber of miles remaining on the route and fuel mileage of the roadvehicle; generating, by the computer, a list of fuel stations which arewithin driving range of the road vehicle based on the fuel mileage ofthe road vehicle, the list also comprising fuel stations which areoutside the driving range of the road vehicle which have a service fordelivery of fuel to a point within the driving range of the roadvehicle, the list including at least a price of the fuel and brand ofthe fuel at each of the fuel stations; providing, by the computer, thelist of fuel stations to a user of the road vehicle; and receiving, bythe computer, input from the user selecting a fuel station forrefueling.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a computersystem for generating a refueling plan for a road vehicle on a routecomprising a computer comprising at least one processor, one or morememories, one or more computer readable storage media having programinstructions executable by the computer to perform the programinstructions. The program instructions comprising: monitoring, by thecomputer, fuel consumption of the road vehicle and an amount of fuelremaining within the road vehicle; wherein when a fuel level within theroad vehicle falls below a threshold, the computer determining a numberof miles remaining on the route and fuel mileage of the road vehicle;generating, by the computer, a list of fuel stations which are withindriving range of the road vehicle based on the fuel mileage of the roadvehicle, the list also comprising fuel stations which are outside thedriving range of the road vehicle which have a service for delivery offuel to a point within the driving range of the road vehicle, the listincluding at least a price of the fuel and brand of the fuel at each ofthe fuel stations; providing, by the computer, the list of fuel stationsto a user of the road vehicle; and receiving, by the computer, inputfrom the user selecting a fuel station for refueling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary diagram of a possible data processingenvironment in which illustrative embodiments may be implemented.

FIGS. 2A-2B shows a flow diagram of a method of generating an optimalrefueling plan.

FIG. 3 shows a flow diagram of a method of generating a list of fuelstations en route to a destination.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic of using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) fordelivering fuel to a vehicle within an optimal refueling plan.

FIG. 5 illustrates internal and external components of a client ordevice computer and a server computer in which illustrative embodimentsmay be implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In an illustrative embodiment, it is recognized that the term “fuel”within the specification is used to refer to not only gasoline, butbattery power, current, or any other means for providing energy to avehicle.

In another illustrative embodiment, it is recognized that the system ofthe present invention analyzes the least cost option for obtaining fuelfor a vehicle from a preferred or ideal fuel station. The idealrefueling station is determined based on user preferences, even whenthat station is outside the range of the vehicle's current fuelreserves. When the ideal refueling station is outside the range, anunmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may be deployed to supply additional fuelin order to bring the target primary refueling station into effectiverange of the vehicle.

In another illustrative embodiment, it is recognized that vehicles maybe equipped with a fuel intake system that allows delivery of fuel froma UAV.

FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram of a possible data processing environmentprovided in which illustrative embodiments may be implemented. It shouldbe appreciated that FIG. 1 is only exemplary and is not intended toassert or imply any limitation with regard to the environments in whichdifferent embodiments may be implemented. Many modifications to thedepicted environments may be made.

Referring to FIG. 1, network data processing system 51 is a network ofcomputers in which illustrative embodiments may be implemented. Networkdata processing system 51 contains network 50, which is the medium usedto provide communication links between various devices and computersconnected together within network data processing system 51. Network 50may include connections, such as wire, wireless communication links, orfiber optic cables.

In the depicted example, device computer 52, a repository 53, and aserver computer 54 connect to network 50. In other exemplaryembodiments, network data processing system 51 may include additionalclient or device computers, storage devices or repositories, servercomputers, and other devices not shown.

Device computer 52 may be, for example, a mobile device, a cell phone, apersonal digital assistant, a netbook, a laptop computer, a tabletcomputer, a desktop computer, personal imaging device, a globalpositioning system (GPS) device, vehicular computer or any other type ofcomputing device.

Device computer 52 may contain an interface 55. The interface 55 mayaccept commands and data entry from a user, such as user preferences andselections of fuel stations. The interface 55 can be, for example, acommand line interface, a graphical user interface (GUI), or a web userinterface (WUI) or alternatively on server computer 54.

The device computer 52 preferably includes fuel monitoring program 66and a fuel delivery program 68. While not shown, it may be desirable tohave the fuel monitoring program 66 and a fuel delivery program 68 bepresent on the server computer 54. Device computer 52 includes a set ofinternal components 800 a and a set of external components 900 a,further illustrated in FIG. 5.

Server computer 54 includes a set of internal components 800 b and a setof external components 900 b illustrated in FIG. 5. The server computer54 may contain an interface 65. The interface 65 may accept commands,data entry, and input from fuel stations including pricing andpromotions. The interface 65 can be, for example, a command lineinterface, a graphical user interface (GUI), or a web user interface(WUI). The server computer 54 also preferably includes a fuel stationprogram 67.

In the depicted example, server computer 54 provides information, suchas boot files, operating system images, and applications to devicecomputer 52. Server computer 54 can compute the information locally orextract the information from other computers on network 50.

Program code and programs such as a fuel monitoring program 66, a fueldelivery program 68 and a fuel station program 67 may be stored on atleast one of one or more computer-readable tangible storage devices 830shown in FIG. 5, on at least one of one or more portablecomputer-readable tangible storage devices 936 as shown in FIG. 5, onrepository 53 connected to network 50, or downloaded to a dataprocessing system or other device for use. For example, program code andprograms such as a fuel monitoring program 66, a fuel delivery program68 and a fuel station program 67 may be stored on at least one of one ormore tangible storage devices 830 on server computer 54 and downloadedto the device computer 52. Alternatively, server computer 54 can be aweb server, and the program code and programs such as a fuel monitoringprogram 66, a fuel delivery program 68 and a fuel station program 67 maybe stored on at least one of the one or more tangible storage devices830 on server computer 54 and accessed on the device computer 52. Fuelmonitoring program 66, fuel delivery program 68 and fuel station program67 can be accessed on device computer 52 through interface 55. In otherexemplary embodiments, the program code and programs such as a fuelmonitoring program 66, a fuel delivery program 68 and a fuel stationprogram 67 may be stored on at least one of one or morecomputer-readable tangible storage devices 830 on server computer 54 ordistributed between two or more servers.

FIGS. 2A-2B shows a flow diagram of a method of generating an optimalrefueling plan.

In a first step, the vehicular computer receives an input regarding aroute to a destination of a user within a road vehicle (step 102), forexample via the fuel monitoring program 66.

The vehicular computer monitors the fuel consumption of the road vehicleand amount of fuel remaining within the road vehicle remaining on theroute to the destination (step 104), for example by a fuel monitoringprogram provided feedback from sensors within the road vehicle throughthe vehicular computer.

If the fuel does not fall below a threshold (step 106), the methodreturns to step 104 of monitoring fuel consumption.

If the fuel falls below a threshold (step 106), the number of milesremaining on the route until the user reaches the destination, and theaverage and expected fuel mileage of the road vehicle are determined(step 108), for example by the fuel monitoring program 66, accountingfor speed, road conditions, and other feedback from sensors within theroad vehicle communicated to the vehicular computer.

The fuel threshold may be a threshold that is predefined by the vehiclemaker or may be set by the user. For example, the vehicle maker mayrecommend that the fuel within the road vehicle not be below one quarterof the total fuel of the road vehicle. A user, for example, wish torefuel the road vehicle when the fuel is at one half of the total fuelof the vehicle. Alternatively, the user may specify that once the fuelfalls below the threshold, a list of fuel stations is generatedregardless of whether there is enough fuel left.

If there is enough fuel left without reducing the road fuel of thevehicle to zero (step 112), then the method returns to step 104 ofmonitoring fuel consumption.

If there is not enough fuel left without reducing the fuel of the roadvehicle to zero (step 112), a list of fuel stations en route to thedestination is generated and presented to the user (step 114), forexample by the fuel delivery program 68 through an interface 55. Thelist of fuel stations generated includes fuel stations that are withindriving range of the road vehicle based on the fuel mileage of the roadvehicle and fuel stations which are outside the driving range of theroad vehicle which have a service for delivery of fuel to a point withinthe driving range of the road vehicle. The list preferably includes atleast a price of the fuel and the brand of fuel at each of the fuelstations. The presentation of the fuel stations may be present on asimulated map of the current area of the road vehicle.

Once input from the user is received regarding refueling, the route isaltered as necessary (step 116), for example by the fuel deliveryprogram 68. If the fuel delivery is not going to take place with a UAV(step 118), the method returns to step 104 of monitoring fuelconsumption.

If the fuel delivery is going to take place with a UAV delivery (step118), the fuel station with the UAV service is notified with at least acurrent location of the road vehicle (step 120) through the vehicularcomputer through the fuel delivery program 68. An estimated timeregarding UAV service arrival time is received (step 122), for exampleby the fuel delivery program 68 of the vehicular computer. Acommunication is received by the road vehicle regarding instructions forreceiving the refueling from the UAV when the UAV has arrived at thevehicle's location (step 124) and the method ends.

FIG. 3 shows a flow diagram of a method of generating a list of fuelstations en route to a destination of step 114. The fuel deliveryprogram 68 may access a repository 53 of fuel station informationthrough the fuel station program 67 of the server computer 54 todetermine the fuel stations within a range of the road vehicle's currentposition (step 130). The range may be predefined and may include fuelstations within the road vehicles distance to reach only using the fuelin the tank or fuel stations obtainable through additional fuel providedby UAV delivery or some other delivery service.

For each of the fuel stations available within a number of miles fromthe user's current destination, the fuel delivery program 68 preferablyretrieves a price, availability of the preferred fuel, user brandpreferences, distance from the current point, distance or deviation fromthe current route to the destination, and enablement of UAV deliveryfrom a repository through the fuel station program 67. The number ofmiles is determined based on the average and expected fuel mileage aswell as the fuel remaining

The time for the road vehicle to reach the fuel stations within a rangeof the current position and the deviation from the route to thedestination are determined (step 132), for example by the fuel deliveryprogram 68.

The costs associated with the different fueling options are thendetermined The costs associated with refueling at each of the fuelstation are determined and stored in a repository (step 134). The costsassociated with refueling using UAV delivery are determined and storedin a repository (step 136). The costs associated with refueling anamount of fuel via UAV to get the road vehicle to a preferred fuelstation is determined and stored in a repository (step 138). It shouldbe noted that when the costs are determined for UAV delivery to the roadvehicle, the fuel capacity and fuel burn rate of the UAV, the speed ofthe UAV, the costs associated with operating the UAV, and the weatherconditions need to be factored into the cost.

The fuel stations and associated cost options are ranked based on userpreferences (step 140). The fuel stations and associated cost optionsmay be sorted by difference user preferences based on additional userinput through interface 55. The user preferences are preferably providedprior to or at the time of entering the destination for the roadvehicle. The method then returns to step 116 of receiving input from theuser regarding refueling and alteration of the route.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic of using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) fordelivering fuel to a road vehicle within an optimal refueling plan. Inthis example, the user is traveling from a first point 201 to a second,destination point 202. The fuel consumption of the road vehicle 200,shown as the triangle, is monitored, for example by a fuel monitoringprogram through a vehicular computer. When the fuel falls below apredefined threshold, the number of miles remaining to the destinationas well as the average and expected fuel mileage are determined andcompared to the miles remaining. Since there will not be enough fuelleft for the road vehicle 200 to reach the destination point 202 withoutrefueling, the vehicular computer, through the fuel station programdetermines fuel stations within a range that show the costs associated,and preferred brand of the user. The time to reach the stations may alsobe presented to the user.

Within oval 203, indicating the fuel range of the road vehicle 200, is asingle fuel station 206 with a cost of $3.02 per gallon. Outside of thedriving range 203 are other fueling stations 208 that are of less costper gallon than present within driving range 203, are the user'spreferred brand, and provide UAV delivery. Some of the fuel stations areoff the current route to the destination, for example the station 204(which has the preferred brand of fuel and UAV delivery). Other stations205 provide UAV delivery at less cost but are not the user's preferredbrand. The user of the road vehicle 200 provides input as to whatrefueling they wish to proceed with so that the user can reach theirdestination point 202. The user may choose to refuel at the fuel station206 within driving range 203, receive UAV delivery of at least some fuelfrom their preferred brand fuel station 204 which is off the route, orreceive at least some fuel from a fuel station that is less cost, forexample fuel station 205 to either reach the destination point 202 ordrive to their preferred brand gas station 204.

FIG. 5 illustrates internal and external components of device computer52 and server computer 54 in which illustrative embodiments may beimplemented. In FIG. 5, device computer 52 and server computer 54include respective sets of internal components 800 a, 800 b and externalcomponents 900 a, 900 b. Each of the sets of internal components 800 a,800 b includes one or more processors 820, one or more computer-readableRAMs 822 and one or more computer-readable ROMs 824 on one or more buses826, and one or more operating systems 828 and one or morecomputer-readable tangible storage devices 830. The one or moreoperating systems 828, a fuel monitoring program 66, a fuel deliveryprogram 68 and a fuel station program 67 are stored on one or more ofthe computer-readable tangible storage devices 830 for execution by oneor more of the processors 820 via one or more of the RAMs 822 (whichtypically include cache memory). In the embodiment illustrated in FIG.5, each of the computer-readable tangible storage devices 830 is amagnetic disk storage device of an internal hard drive. Alternatively,each of the computer-readable tangible storage devices 830 is asemiconductor storage device such as ROM 824, EPROM, flash memory or anyother computer-readable tangible storage device that can store acomputer program and digital information.

Each set of internal components 800 a, 800 b also includes a R/W driveor interface 832 to read from and write to one or more portablecomputer-readable tangible storage devices 936 such as a CD-ROM, DVD,memory stick, magnetic tape, magnetic disk, optical disk orsemiconductor storage device. Fuel monitoring program 66, fuel deliveryprogram 68 and fuel station program 67 can be stored on one or more ofthe portable computer-readable tangible storage devices 936, read viaR/W drive or interface 832 and loaded into hard drive 830.

Each set of internal components 800 a, 800 b also includes a networkadapter or interface 836 such as a TCP/IP adapter card. Fuel monitoringprogram 66, fuel delivery program 68 and fuel station program 67 can bedownloaded to the device computer 52 and server computer 54 from anexternal computer via a network (for example, the Internet, a local areanetwork or other, wide area network) and network adapter or interface836. From the network adapter or interface 836, fuel monitoring program66, fuel delivery program 68 and fuel station program 67 are loaded intohard drive 830. The network may comprise copper wires, optical fibers,wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computersand/or edge servers.

Each of the sets of external components 900 a, 900 b includes a computerdisplay monitor 920, a keyboard 930, and a computer mouse 934. Each ofthe sets of internal components 800 a, 800 b also includes devicedrivers 840 to interface to computer display monitor 920, keyboard 930and computer mouse 934. The device drivers 840, R/W drive or interface832 and network adapter or interface 836 comprise hardware and software(stored in storage device 830 and/or ROM 824).

Fuel monitoring program 66, fuel delivery program 68 and fuel stationprogram 67 can be written in various programming languages includinglow-level, high-level, object-oriented or non object-oriented languages.Alternatively, the functions of a fuel monitoring program 66, a fueldelivery program 68 and a fuel station program 67 can be implemented inwhole or in part by computer circuits and other hardware (not shown).

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product. The computer program product may include a computerreadable storage medium (or media) having computer readable programinstructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of thepresent invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, including an objectoriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like,and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The computerreadable program instructions may execute entirely on the user'scomputer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone softwarepackage, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computeror entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario,the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through anytype of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide areanetwork (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer(for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example,programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), orprogrammable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readableprogram instructions by utilizing state information of the computerreadable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry,in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of theorder noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

Having thus described the invention of the present application in detailand by reference to embodiments thereof, it will be apparent thatmodifications and variations are possible without departing from thescope of the invention defined in the appended claims.

1. A method of generating a refueling plan for a road vehicle on a routecomprising the steps of: a computer monitoring fuel consumption of theroad vehicle and an amount of fuel remaining within the road vehicle;wherein when a fuel level within the road vehicle falls below athreshold, the computer determining a number of miles remaining on theroute and fuel mileage of the road vehicle; the computer generating alist of fuel stations which are within driving range of the road vehiclebased on the fuel mileage of the road vehicle, the list also comprisingfuel stations which are outside the driving range of the road vehiclewhich have a service for delivery of fuel to a point within the drivingrange of the road vehicle, the list including at least a price of thefuel and brand of the fuel at each of the fuel stations; the computerproviding the list of fuel stations to a user of the road vehicle; andthe computer receiving input from the user selecting a fuel station forrefueling.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the threshold is set by theuser.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the threshold is set by amanufacturer of the road vehicle.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein theservice for delivery of fuel by fuel stations outside of driving rangecomprises delivery of fuel by an unmanned aerial vehicle.
 5. The methodof claim 4, wherein when the user selects a fuel station outside thedriving range of the road vehicle with the service for delivery of fuel,the method further comprises the steps of: the computer sending a signalto the fuel station selected by the user for refueling by the unmannedaerial vehicle, providing the fuel station with at least a currentlocation of the road vehicle; and the computer receiving an estimatedtime of arrival of the unmanned aerial vehicle.
 6. The method of claim5, further comprising the steps of: the computer receiving instructionsproviding procedures for the road vehicle for refueling by the unmannedaerial vehicle; and the computer displaying the instructions to the userof the road vehicle.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step ofgenerating a list of fuel stations further comprises the step ofcomputing a cost of refueling the road vehicle at each of the fuelstations on the list.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the step ofcomputing the cost of refueling for each fuel station which is not onthe route comprises the step of the computer determining a deviationfrom the route to reach the fuel station.
 9. The method of claim 7,wherein the step of computing the cost of refueling for each fuelstation outside of the driving range of the road vehicle which have aservice for delivery of fuel to a point within the driving range of theroad vehicle comprises the computer determining a deviation from theroute to the point for delivery of fuel, and the computer determiningcosts for the service of delivery of fuel to the point for delivery offuel.
 10. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of rankingthe fuel stations based on preferences of the user of the road vehicle.11. A computer program product for generating a refueling plan for aroad vehicle on a route comprising a computer comprising at least oneprocessor, one or more memories, one or more computer readable storagemedia, the computer program product comprising a computer readablestorage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, theprogram instructions executable by the computer to perform a methodcomprising: monitoring, by the computer, fuel consumption of the roadvehicle and an amount of fuel remaining within the road vehicle; whereinwhen a fuel level within the road vehicle falls below a threshold, thecomputer determining a number of miles remaining on the route and fuelmileage of the road vehicle; generating, by the computer, a list of fuelstations which are within driving range of the road vehicle based on thefuel mileage of the road vehicle, the list also comprising fuel stationswhich are outside the driving range of the road vehicle which have aservice for delivery of fuel to a point within the driving range of theroad vehicle, the list including at least a price of the fuel and brandof the fuel at each of the fuel stations; providing, by the computer,the list of fuel stations to a user of the road vehicle; and receiving,by the computer, input from the user selecting a fuel station forrefueling.
 12. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein theservice for delivery of fuel by fuel stations outside of driving rangecomprises delivery of fuel by an unmanned aerial vehicle.
 13. Thecomputer program product of claim 12, wherein when the user selects afuel station outside the driving range of the road vehicle with theservice for delivery of fuel, the program instructions further comprisesthe steps of: sending, by the computer, a signal to the fuel stationselected by the user for refueling by the unmanned aerial vehicle,providing the fuel station with at least a current location of the roadvehicle; and receiving, by the computer, an estimated time of arrival ofthe unmanned aerial vehicle.
 14. The computer program product of claim13, the program instructions further comprising the steps of: receiving,by the computer, instructions providing procedures for the road vehiclefor refueling by the unmanned aerial vehicle; and displaying, by thecomputer, the instructions to the user of the road vehicle.
 15. Thecomputer program product of claim 11, wherein the step of generating alist of fuel stations further comprises the step of computing, by thecomputer, a cost of refueling the road vehicle at each of the fuelstations on the list.
 16. A computer system for generating a refuelingplan for a road vehicle on a route comprising a computer comprising atleast one processor, one or more memories, one or more computer readablestorage media having program instructions executable by the computer toperform the program instructions comprising: monitoring, by thecomputer, fuel consumption of the road vehicle and an amount of fuelremaining within the road vehicle; wherein when a fuel level within theroad vehicle falls below a threshold, the computer determining a numberof miles remaining on the route and fuel mileage of the road vehicle;generating, by the computer, a list of fuel stations which are withindriving range of the road vehicle based on the fuel mileage of the roadvehicle, the list also comprising fuel stations which are outside thedriving range of the road vehicle which have a service for delivery offuel to a point within the driving range of the road vehicle, the listincluding at least a price of the fuel and brand of the fuel at each ofthe fuel stations; providing, by the computer, the list of fuel stationsto a user of the road vehicle; and receiving, by the computer, inputfrom the user selecting a fuel station for refueling.
 17. The computersystem of claim 16, wherein the service for delivery of fuel by fuelstations outside of driving range comprises delivery of fuel by anunmanned aerial vehicle.
 18. The computer system of claim 17, whereinwhen the user selects a fuel station outside the driving range of theroad vehicle with the service for delivery of fuel, the programinstructions further comprising: sending, by the computer, a signal tothe fuel station selected by the user for refueling by the unmannedaerial vehicle, providing the fuel station with at least a currentlocation of the road vehicle; and receiving, by the computer, anestimated time of arrival of the unmanned aerial vehicle.
 19. Thecomputer system of claim 18, the program instructions furthercomprising: receiving, by the computer, instructions providingprocedures for the road vehicle for refueling by the unmanned aerialvehicle; and displaying, by the computer, the instructions to the userof the road vehicle.
 20. The computer system of claim 16, wherein theprogram instructions of generating a list of fuel stations furthercomprises computing, by the computer, a cost of refueling the roadvehicle at each of the fuel stations on the list.